Kush is a new Indian restaurant in Clifton, Bristol, from Birmingham-born chef Aktar Islam - the chef-patron behind acclaimed Birmingham restaurant Opheem, one of only two Indian restaurants in the UK to hold two Michelin stars.
Kush marks Islam’s third project, joining his Birmingham flagship and Oudh 1722, the Michelin-starred chef’s debut London opening. The restaurant moves into the former home of local favourite The Mint Room, which closed in 2024.
Details are still under wraps for now. Kush began life as a supper-club series in January 2026, quietly hinting at a permanent restaurant to come, though an opening date is yet to be announced. What we do know is that the concept is built around communal dining - evenings designed to echo the way Indian meals are traditionally enjoyed.
Guests can expect a generous banquet-style feast inspired by recipes from across the Indian subcontinent. Some dishes will feel comfortingly familiar; others promise to introduce lesser-known regional gems and rarely seen delicacies.
Islam, who was born in Aston to Bangladeshi parents, first came to public attention when he won Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word in 2009. Since then, he has become one of the UK’s most prominent champions of Indian cuisine, appearing regularly on shows like Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen, and MasterChef: The Professionals. In February 2024, Opheem earned its second Michelin star, cementing its status as the only Birmingham restaurant - and one of just two Indian restaurants nationwide - to hold the accolade.